​Fresh off a 12-win season, is it time to label the Houston Texans as the team to beat in the AFC? Houston enters the 2026 cycle with a strong foundation, returning 10 starters from what was the league’s No. 1 defense. The front office also bolstered the run game by acquiring Lions Pro Bowl running back David Montgomery and shoring up the offensive line with experienced veterans Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith.
Everything hinges on quarterback play from C.J. Stroud and the consistency of the receiver corps. Despite modest offensive output, Houston still racked up its most wins since 2012. Imagine what the offense could become with more dependable production across the board.
But are the Texans the single best roster in the AFC? Not according to Bleacher Report, which recently released its top 10 rosters entering the 2026 season. The Denver Broncos (No. 3) and Buffalo Bills (No. 4) were ranked ahead of Houston, primarily due to quarterback consistency, with the Texans right behind them at No. 5.
“Outwardly, the Texans have expressed every confidence in the 24-year-old Stroud, but they have also made no effort to extend him,” Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport wrote. “There’s no sugar-coating things: the Ohio State product hasn’t been able to recapture his rookie success over the last couple of seasons, and last year’s playoffs were poor. If Stroud can turn back the clock and avoid turnovers this year, the Texans could be legitimate Super Bowl contenders. But if his 2026 looks like a repeat of the tail end of 2025, the next offseason in Houston could get awkward.”
For the full list of teams and to see which roster could produce a breakout star, click here. The Texans are scheduled to return to the practice field on July 21. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans viewed as a top-five team for the 2026 season by Bleacher Report, for better SEO.